Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 world championship on December 7, 2025, during the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Entering the race with a narrow 12-point lead over reigning champion Max Verstappen, Norris finished in third place, which was sufficient to clinch the title over both Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. This victory marks a significant achievement for the 26-year-old British driver, who has now accumulated a total of 11 career wins and 43 podium finishes.
Key Moments in Norris’ Championship Journey
Norris’s championship campaign in 2025 was characterized by remarkable consistency and a series of critical moments. A pivotal event occurred during the Italian Grand Prix in September when McLaren made a strategic decision to swap the positions of Norris and Piastri. This move not only enhanced Norris’s championship prospects but also underscored McLaren’s commitment to supporting their drivers throughout the season.
Had McLaren not intervened during that race, the final standings could have looked quite different. The importance of team strategy and collaboration became evident as the season progressed, ultimately contributing to Norris’s success.
Ending Verstappen’s Dominance
Max Verstappen, who won his first world title on December 12, 2021, saw his impressive reign as drivers’ champion come to an end after 1,456 days. During his dominance, Verstappen secured four consecutive championships, making his legacy one of the most formidable in recent F1 history.
With Norris’s win, he becomes the eleventh British driver to achieve world champion status. Previous British champions include legends such as Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, and Lewis Hamilton. Additionally, Norris is the eighth driver from McLaren to win the championship, joining the ranks of celebrated drivers like Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
Norris’s ascent to the top of the sport also came with significant milestones. In July 2025, he became the 13th British driver to win the British Grand Prix, further solidifying his place in the annals of F1 history. His victory at the Qatar Grand Prix marked his 151st race start, tying him with David Coulthard for a distinguished record in the sport.
Norris’s performance throughout the 2025 season was marked by remarkable consistency. He stood on the podium in 19 of the 24 races held this year, with seven of those resulting in wins. This level of achievement demonstrates not only his skill but also the reliability of the McLaren team.
At just 26 years and 23 days old, Norris becomes the twelfth youngest driver to win an F1 championship. He joins an elite group of champions that includes Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, each of whom made their mark at a young age.
As the dust settles on the 2025 season, Lando Norris’s victory serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of Formula 1. With Verstappen’s reign concluded, the stage is set for an exciting new era in the sport, with Norris now firmly established as a key contender for future titles.
